Embedded into the backcountry areas of Zion National Park, the Sierra Nevada, Death Valley National Park, and the Mojave Desert, Courtney Purcell's ramblings have also taken him all across the country and the world. From hiking, climbing and peakbagging in the Rockies, the Andes, the high volcanoes of Washington and Mexico, into the depths explored in spelunking, and the canyoneering of the Colorado Plateau, here you'll find trip reports, route beta and "stuff" relevant to the world of...

Where:Zion National Park, UtahWhen:May 2008Partners:DB & Harlan StockmanThe Subway is a world famous canyoneering objective tucked away in the Kolob Terrace portion of Zion National Park. More properly known as the 'Left Fork of North Creek', the canyon is a sought-after objective of many outdoor enthusiasts.Having descended the Subway three times prior, DB had never done the classic canyon and we were happy to assemble a group of newbies for their first trip ever into a technical canyon. Not only that, but my buddy Harlan, a prolific hiker and explorer himself who'd never done the canyon, signed onboard. It was to be a grand time! Meeting at the corner of UT-9 and Kolob Terrace Road in Virgin, Utah, we caravaned up to the Left Fork Trailhead to spot a car, then drove up in two vehicles to the Wildcat Trailhead. Along the way, we picked up a trio of guys from the Bay Area, including Jef Levin, whom I'd come across on Ram's Canyons group, and gave them a lift to our collective trailhead. They were going through Das Boot, on the beginning of a weeklong Zion engagement that would include descents of Imlay and Englestead Canyons.Hitting the trail, we made good time to the turn-off to head down toward Russell Gulch and the Subway. Soon, the trail gives way to slickrock, then a forested stretch of trail, then more slickrock. Then a downclimb of loose terrain presents itself.That's when my new hiking friends decided they'd had enough. Amidst the glory of the area, the topographical challenges and whatnot, they weren't quite prepared for the physical exertion that was required on what was proving to be a rather hot day (in which it would get to 108F in nearby Las Vegas).Bidding them farewell, DB, Harlan and I scurried down the slickrock then hit the final steep trail that would deposit us in lower Russell Gulch just above the confluence with North Creek.

Once in, we made good time negotiating boulders, doing a cold swim, trudging along. The scenery was outstanding, the day was bright and warm, and DB was thrilled to be wearing her 7mm wetsuit. I, in my t-shirt and shorts, was doing fine, though a bit chilled in the shade.

Eventually reaching the end of the good stuff, we began the longish hike out. We stopped to admire and take photos of the dinosaur tracks, Harlan helped us identify a number of wildflowers growing along the trail, and I managed to spot two snakes.When we reached the steep trail that would take us back to our spotted car at the Left Fork Trailhead, we started the hot hike out. By then, it was pushing 90F and we were glad to take a few short breaks on the way up.

Collecting ourselves at the vehicle, we drove up to Wildcat to retrieve Harlan's vehicle and verify that Andrea's vehicle was gone, a sure sign that they'd returned safely. And it was!

...those moments when time stands still. The catalysts are as varied as the individuals who pursue this path: a meteor shower; a night sky so star-filled that it snatches your breath; another rise of the sun over distant mountains vast and untouchable; dodging a rock careening crazily down a gully; a desperate icy struggle through whiteout and ground blizzard down to the safety of camp after an unsuccessful summit attempt; standing atop a mountain with a friend, the whole world at your feet, a blinding sun blazing out of a flawless sky, taking the time to watch that sun dip below the horizon even though camp is still many miles and many thousands of feet distant; stumbling over boulders and through brush in the darkness; watching the starlight and the storm wrest for possession of the night sky, seated on a narrow ledge beside your rope-mate with only the clothes on your back for shelter, shivering the night away, knowing that, sometime in a distant place you cannot now touch, the world will once again grow bright, the sun will rise, and you will look out on the infant day with new eyes.-Bruce Binder

One final paragraph of advice: do not burn yourselves out. Be as I am - a reluctant enthusiast....a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it’s still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious, and awesome space. Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to the body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much; I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those desk-bound men and women with their hearts in a safe deposit box, and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this; You will outlive the bastards.

-Edward Abbey

Future plans? I used to think about it. Now I don’t. Another year—two—three in the canyons? Every new canyon, every summit, every day down here is just too valuable.-Steve Allen